Ranking the toughest games left on the Kansas City Chiefs schedule
By Matt Conner
4. Denver Broncos
This game’s “toughness” ranking is going to change significantly based on the overall standings at the time these teams meet. On paper, it made great sense to pit the Broncos and Chiefs against each other in the final game of the season for each franchise. However this year, the AFC West is much more open than anyone could have predicted, which means it might be much ado about nothing.
Or not.
If the Chiefs are in cruise control, as they should be, for the final 8 games of the year, then they will carry a nice lead over the rest of their rivals into the final week, meaning the Broncos could be facing Pat Mahomes as Alex Smith and company rest for the playoffs. The Chiefs would certainly welcome a win in that case, but a win or loss would not the primary goal in that game. Rather the goal would be the stay healthy and rest key people in anticipation of the playoffs.
However, it’s also possible that the Broncos close the gap and that the Chiefs aren’t able to run the tables in the second half as expected. Several teams could make things interesting (we’ll get to them in a minute) and if the Chiefs lead disappears, facing the Broncos at Mile High on New Year’s Eve is a daunting way to close the season.
Nevermind the world’s second worst quarterback carousel in Denver. The reality is that the Chiefs walked away with a gifted win at home in Week 8 and everyone knew it. Five turnovers from the Broncos sealed a game that should have been much closer than the final 29-19 score, and it’s hard to imagine the Chiefs are served up something so easy once again on the road.